Review of Minority Report (2002) by Sinisteris T — 25 May 2015

The two decades preceding Minority Report have been a crucial transitional phase for Hollywood legend, Steven Spielberg; a treasure of the industry with such remarkable and timeless features like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, taking on extraordinary stories that places its audience in an escaping position, providing the heightened essence of cinema's purity. The Color Purple was the necessary seed that has grown within the filmmaker that would lead him to tackling a humanistic through the most inspiring of tales, one that opens our eyes to our faults and successes throughout history.

Minority Report however takes on a similar ground but this time predicting of what would become of our society; a political drama of 2054 Washington D.C., where the invention and testing of PreCrime have proven successful in the war against homicide, finally creating the secure environment that the government have craved for. The predictions of these crimes are generated from the visions that are formed, and harnessed, by the PreCrime unit and is analysed in finding the necessary clues for its prevention. A premise that manages to display originality, even by the standards of today, that seeing it for the first time is like a breath of fresh air; transporting you to a world that evokes familiarity and innovation that detail in exposition needs not to be heavy to gain understanding.

Spielberg takes on the idea and further emphasises its necessity that requires reflection towards our own conditions; the necessity to morally challenge its government for an innovation that is either contradictory or ambiguous; the undeniable growth and personalisation of consumerism; challenging the concept of fate and its potential diversion through the power of wisdom. Given Spielberg's track record, this could have simply been a replication of Raiders of the Lost Ark on a far more technical and awe-inspiring platform and transport its audience with every breathtaking set-piece. Thankfully, much like Jurassic Park, he has merged the adventure sensibilities of his youth and the thoughtful mindset in his slow transition, leaving the audience with a rewarding experience.

However in his attempt to balance both approaches, it is far from the measured and impactful outcome of Jurassic Park; Minority Report finds itself far too stretched from its two sensibilities, with transitions coming off as far too palpable. Along with this, it arrives at a third act that creates a far too calm transition to its resolution that cushions the impact that the film could have provided if it managed to retain the same sense of encapsulating urgency and tension that filled the veins of its first two acts.

Much like Blade Runner, the film carries a sense of glory in its depiction of technological progression, whilst filling the atmosphere with dire and serious themes. The director dedicates its first 40 minutes as an exhaustive introduction of its world, its social and technological updates, and the key figures that fill it. Spielberg's film has always welcomed the concept of product placement, but unlike many filmmakers (Michael Bay, in particular); it weaves commerciality with narrative progression seamlessly, acting as a necessary element in the shaping of its world.

Since their collaboration in Schindler's List, Janusz Kaminski and Spielberg have developed a strong and understanding relationship; with their films since their initial partnership have taken on a far more stylistic attitude than any of his previous films, excepting the collaborations with Douglas Slocombe. Minority Report screams out in its slick camera movements and noir-inspired lighting that fits perfectly the gritty profession and the tragic personal history of its protagonist. Although difficult to say if this is Kaminski's strongest effort, but it is no doubt an impressive one, and is a large contribution to the film's overall appeal.

Spielberg's 20th feature may be ambitious and technically proficient, but it lacks the desperation of a young filmmaker that places their inner soul with each captured shot; there is a sense of comfort to be found in his direction that may have relied too heavily on the film's screenplay and fruitful experience with computer generated visual effects in its construction. Minority Report may no doubt grow its reputation as years pass and more of its reflective ideas become relevant, but for now it is simply a pleasing entry into Spielberg's prolific filmography.